The arid climate of North Las Vegas makes the extensive green roof an ideal choice for this area because of its lightweight and low-maintenance virtues. These systems typically utilize shallow soil depths and rely on a variety of drought-tolerant plants to make up their "canopy." The insulating properties of an extensive green roof can result in energy savings. And, given the onset of our local monsoon and the rooftop's drainage design, the green roof plays a significant role in "rainwater management." Overall, an extensive green roof is a highly viable sustainable option for any North Las Vegas residence or commercial property.
For individuals desiring a more substantial option, an intense green roof can provide just that—an intensely intense green roof is one that offers what the industry considers the thickest layer of soil. That means intense green roofs can support a wider array of plant life, including some tree species, and carry the kind of thorny, shrubby vegetation you might find hiking in the Mojave Desert. But to support a roof this way is labor- and material-intensive. Architects estimate an intense green roof costs 5 to 15 times more than an ordinary roof. That said, building owners can recoup some of that expense over time, thanks to the cooling effect an intense green roof can have on the building beneath it. On a hot summer day, temps can be 21 degrees cooler on an intense green roof than on a conventional one.
For properties that may not support the weight of soil-based living roofs, modular green roofing solutions offer a hearty alternative. This system is made up of lightweight pre-grown plant modules that can be installed rapidly and laid out in roughly the same manner as secluded living roofs. "The advantage is that plant establishment is hastened by installing plants that are already started," said Green Roofs for Healthy Cities President Steven Peck. "It's a good option for retrofits because it's less disruptive than working with soil." He said that the modular system can also be adjusted to fit a variety of plant choices, achieving an adaptive ecotype that can render the roof a more viable living space for whatever organisms succeed in establishing themselves there.
